Author name: Scott Balson

The second phase of the Lesotho Highlands Water Project has ballooned from R8-billion in 2008 to R53-billion, raising questions about governance and oversight. Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Water and Sanitation has criticised governance weaknesses and oversight gaps. The Democratic Alliance has filed a public access to information request after the Department of Water and Sanitation […]

One e-hailing driver was shot and burnt, and two people were shot and seriously wounded outside Maponya Mall in Soweto on Wednesday night. This resulted in a protest by hundreds of people on Thursday, demanding that authorities intervene in the conflict between minibus taxi operators and e-hailing drivers. Protesters we spoke to said expressed outrage

About a hundred journalists and activists held a vigil in Johannesburg on Thursday evening in memory of Palestinian journalists who were murdered by Israel. The vigil, organised by Journalists Against Apartheid, was held outside Al Jazeera’s offices. This follows Sunday’s assassination of six journalists, including prominent Al Jazeera correspondent Anas Al-Sharif, in a targeted attack

Despite difficult conditions, including flooded shacks and poor sanitation, people living in a refugee camp in Paint City, Bellville, are sticking to their demands. The refugees have rejected repatriation or returning to South African communities and say they will only accept being resettled in a third country. Last month, the City of Cape Town, with

The Democratic Alliance (DA) has officially announced Cilliers Brink as its mayoral candidate for the Tshwane Municipality, promising to restore effective governance amid growing dissatisfaction with the current administration. The decision comes as pressure mounts on incumbent Mayor Nasiphi Moya following a Gauteng High Court ruling that found the municipality in breach of an order

The first National Convention, marking the beginning of South Africa’s National Dialogue, kicked off today at the University of South Africa (UNISA) main campus amid chaos as a delegate collapsed, sparking a scuffle on stage, while protesters gathered outside, voicing dissatisfaction with the process. Disruptions Inside the Venue The convention, intended to address pressing national

Two male suspects, aged 19 and 44, were arrested on Thursday for possession of illicit cigarettes in Viljoensdrif. The arrests took place on *14 August 2025* at approximately *10:30* after members of the Sasolburg Highway Patrol Relief A and Viljoensdrif CSC Relief C conducted a Vehicle Check Point (VCP) on the R82 near Country Butchery, Viljoensdrif. During the operation, authorities stopped and searched a white truck with

Catherine Wilheminah Papenfus (54), a disbarred attorney and conveyancer, appeared before the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Thursday, 14 August 2025, following her arrest on 09 August 2025 in Hermanus, Cape Town. She faces charges of theft and fraud related to the misappropriation of client funds intended for property purchases. According to allegations,

A 31-year-old man from Moemaneng, near Marquard, is set to apply for bail on 21 August 2025 at the Marquard Magistrate’s Court, where he faces an attempted murder charge for allegedly trying to strangle his 8-year-old stepdaughter. The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday, 9 August 2025, in Tshimong Section, Moemaneng. According to allegations, the girl

Police officers from the Fish Hoek South African Police Service (SAPS) arrested a 23-year-old Zimbabwean national on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, for illegal possession of abalone. The arrest occurred while officers were conducting crime prevention patrols along Black Hill Road. They noticed a speeding vehicle and pursued it before stopping and searching both the driver